Indigenous Student Bursary

To support our graduating Indigenous students, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) has partnered with HuFriedyGroup to launch the Indigenous Student Bursary.

Canada’s colonial policies and practices had a devastating impact on Indigenous peoples. As Canadians acknowledge that truth and continue their reconciliation journey, CDHA is joining many organizations in leading efforts to support Indigenous peoples and the ongoing work of establishing mutually respectful relationships. Our bursary initiative is Indigenous-led and guided by Indigenous cultures, values, and voices.

Help support Indigenous students - purchase a limited-edition HuFriedy Scaler

HuFriedy EverEdge 204S Sickle Scaler - $87 (plus applicable taxes)

If you are not a CDHA member, please contact John Corner at jcorner@cdha.ca or at 1-800-267-5235 ext 138 for quick and easy processing of your purchase.

100% of the profits will go towards funding this bursary.

What is the Indigenous Student Bursary?

The bursary will provide financial support to Indigenous students in the final year of their dental hygiene program graduating in 2023, 2024 and 2025. To fund this bursary, CDHA is offering its members the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition HuFriedy EverEdge 204S sickle scaler with orange signature grips.

Student applications for the 2024 bursary will open September 1, 2024.

Why the colour orange?

In 1973, for her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, Phyllis Webstad proudly wore a shiny orange shirt, given to her by her grandmother. When she arrived at the school, her shirt was taken from her, never to be seen again. The orange shirt now signifies the loss of identity, language, culture, and everything that was taken from Indigenous children in the residential school system.

Orange Shirt Day, September 30, began in 2013 as a day to recognize the experiences and the healing journey of residential school survivors. September 30 now also marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day to honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and to reflect on Canada’s colonial history and our path forward towards truth and reconciliation. We wear orange to honour Phyllis Webstad and the thousands of residential school survivors, and to acknowledge that Every Child Matters.

HuFriedyGroup has developed this customized orange signature-gripped instrument, which you can purchase and use to demonstrate your commitment to practising reconciliation.

What can you do?

Purchase a limited-edition HuFriedy EverEdge 204S sickle scaler today. 100% of the profits will go towards funding this bursary. Not only will you have an excellent instrument to support the oral health of your clients, but you will also be expressing your support for our Indigenous colleagues as they begin their career in dental hygiene.

The price of each scaler is $87 CDN plus applicable taxes. There is no limit on the number of scalers each member can purchase.

Note: Quantities are limited.

Please allow 7 to 14 business days to receive your order. If you have any questions about your order, please contact Melanie Lagace, HuFriedyGroup at mlagace@hu-friedy.com

CDHA thanks the HuFriedyGroup and the members of the Indigenous Student Bursary Advisory Committee for their contributions and guidance: Stephanie Champagne (RDH), Jennifer David (NVision Insight Group), Paulette Dahlseide (RDH), Leanne Huvenaars (RDH), Drew McClelland (RDH), and Kathy Yerex (RDH).

If you or someone you know is triggered by the content on this webpage, please call the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 (toll-free) or connect with a mental health professional through Wellness Together Canada at 1-866-585-0445 (toll-free).